Builders, renovators and developers

All of the above abound in my locality, especially developers.  The area has become, like so many other parts of this city, a mecca for developers.  You will find this topic a constant refrain on this blog, to the point you may wish to scream at some time in the not-too-distant future.

For motorists, cyclists and pedestrians alike, this makes life even more difficult when negotiating either the road or the foot paths, whether you are driving, riding or walking from A to B.

Footpaths become obstacle courses with the pavement broken up by heavy vehicles carrying away wrecked houses, shattered trees and overburden, as deep holes are dug for underground car parks.  In order to avoid civil suits for broken legs and other injuries, steel sheets are laid down on the pavement and through the winter months, when we actually get some rain in this city, it makes for an interesting time and some fancy and very careful footwork when crossing the steel sheets after a downpour..  Very similar to ice skating, without the ice and the skates.

The pedestrian sign was an afterthought; this morning the barrier was right there when I turned the corner and the choice was walk on the road and chance being hit from behind or cross over onto the hot, unshaded, opposite side of the street. 

The sign appeared later in the day, when either the builder/renovator realized there was an obligation to warn people of the footpath obstruction, or somebody complained to the authorities.

No. I didn’t complain, though the thought did cross my mind.